AI takes on a smiley face

By Jeffrey Jolson

Tyler, J-Lo, Jackson and Seacrest

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 9/22/10 – None of the new or old judges on American Idol want to be Mean Mr. Mustard and fill Simon Cowell’s loafers.

Speaking at their formal swearing-in to the panel, diva Jennifer Lopez and rocker Steven Tyler of Aerosmith said Wednesday that British judge Simon Cowell was “irreplaceable,” but said the talent show’s focus would return to the contestants.

J-Lo in a shiny silver jumpsuit said she could never make cruel remarks to an aspiring singer.

In a way it is a shame, because Cowell’s vitriolic remarks like “Find a singing coach or a new career” made the show lively and the subject of water-cooler conversations.

“Season 10 is like the remix. It is like a new beginning for what ‘Idol’ is. These two are so talented…I think it worked out the best it ever could,” music producer Randy Jackson, the only remaining original judge on the three-person panel, told a news conference after Wednesday’s judges’ announcement.

In fact the most controversial element in the day of judges announcements was Tyler saying his band mates were green-eyed when they heard of his new gig. They obviously would prefer him writing, recording and touring with Aerosmith – a full-time, multimillion dollar job.

Tyler is a year out of rehab for prescription drug addiction a year ago and his last tour was marked by public feuds with band mates.

“This was thrown on me. I looked on it as a great opportunity,” Tyler said. “With the band — we have been married for 40 years. They are worse than women…At first they were jealous. They heard it through the press and not from me…I am sure they are real happy for me.”

But asked who will take British judge Cowell’s place as the “villain” on the new panel, both superstars looked blank.

“I believe in tough love, but I don’t think I will ever, as an artist myself, be cruel to another artist. I think there are definitely better ways to say things,” Lopez said.

“It’s not about role playing,” said executive producer Nigel Lythgoe. “It is about being themselves.”